Bonhams Simeone Museum 2014 – Auction Report

2014 marked Bonhams’ third foray into the delightful environs of Dr. Fred Simeone’s marvelous collection near the Philadelphia airport. If the auction isn’t sufficient to induce people to come, the chance to see the collection of competition automobiles that Dr. Simeone has put together should be. His dedication to presenting and preserving some of these specimens is connoisseurship defined.

It’s worth flying through Philadelphia to see it. A five or six hour layover is sufficient, even allowing for TSA, but an overnight is even better. And don’t believe W.C. Field’s famous quip, ‘First prize is one night in Philadelphia; second prize is two nights.’ The chance to visit Dr. Simeone’s collection turns the phrase on its head.

This was by far Bonhams best ‘Preserving the Automobile’ auction, largely on account of one lot, the ex-F.C. Deemer 1907 American Underslung 50-60hp ‘Honeymoon Roadster’. The next time some skeptic weighs into the antique car market with a dismissive, ‘Collectors of those old crocks are dying off. There’s no market for them,’ Cite the F.C. Deemer American – a car that sold at RM’s Meadow Brook auction in 2004 for $407,000 and brought $1,430,000 in Philadelphia – as the endorsement for August sale of the ex-Henry Austin Clark, Jr. Mercer Type 35R T-head Raceabout for $2,530,000. Then look at the historic photo of the American’s bare chassis and think, ‘What person who loves cars wouldn’t swoon to own and drive a piece of machinery like this?’

Bonhams Simeone Museum

Cars Offered / Sold

Sale %

Sold < Low Est.

Sold > High Est.

Average Sale

Median Sale

Total Sales

2014

60 / 48

80.0%

75.0%

6.3%

$80,006

$28,600 [35.8%]

$3,840,290

2013

66 / 55

83.3%

58.2%

9.1%

$49,764

$25,300 [50.8%]

$2,737,030

2012

62 / 50

80.7%

56%

20%

$51,534

$25,875 [50.2%]

$2,576,695

[Andrew C. Newton stepped up to go to Philadelphia at the last minute to cover this sale when I was unable to go. Thank you, Andrew. As always, however, the responsibility for the content belongs to the editor.]

Bonhams Simeone Museum 2014 – Auction Report

Lot # 304 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-Dr. Hardtop; S/N VC55J028422; Engine # 0011749F55F; Gypsy Red, Shoreline Beige/Red vinyl, Beige cloth inserts; Estimate $15,000 – $20,000; Unrestored original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $14,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $15,950. No Reserve – 265/162hp, 2-barrel, Powerglide, wheel covers, whitewall tires, factory push button radio, dash clock, grille guard, sill moldings. – Original, complete car condition in its original colors. Not the world’s best preserved example, but strong and clean both inside and out as well as underneath. From the John Middleton collection. – Attractively preserved if not pristine, this ’55 Bel Air is a great basis for restoration or continued preservation. It’s a remarkably sound value at this price, eminently usable after some mechanical attention and in one of the best and most appreciated color combinations for ’55 Bel Airs that only enhances its value. It wouldn’t have been expensive even at the high estimate.

Lot # 305 1917 Packard 2-25 Twin-Six Rear Entry Brougham, Body by Chauncey Thomas & Co.; S/N 127871; Engine # 127871; Dark Red, Black hood and fenders/Black leather; Estimate $70,000 – $90,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 4- condition; Hammered Sold at $32,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $35,200. No Reserve – 424/88hp V-12, 3-speed, red artillery wheels, Universal Tire blackwalls, Boyce Motometer, driving lights, rear-mounted luggage trunk, wood-rimmed steering wheel, center-facing rear seats, pull-up front windows, top-opening windshield that slides up under the roof. – Tired older repaint. Front seat upholstery disintegrating, but the center-facing rear seats are well preserved. Tired engine bay. Looks like it hasn’t run in a long while. Cracked windshield. Complete, interesting car. Close-coupled 4-seat bodywork from Boston-based coachbuilder Chauncey Thomas & Co. was fitted by its original owner after removing it from another car. Eventually wound up in the Rick Carroll collection until 1977, then made its way to the John Middleton collection. Tall, impressively equipped, fascinating car that would benefit from light restoration to get it back on the road. – This is a fascinating piece, literally a motor-carriage, built by a respected but now obscure Boston coachbuilder. A gorgeous, erect, nickel-era brougham that is even more prestigious today than it was at the end of the Great War. The front seats will have to be re-covered but beyond that it should respond gratefully to mechanical attention and be a standout wherever it appears. At the price it is a great bargain, far more car than money.

Lot # 306; 1935 Ford Model 48 Deluxe Roadster; S/N 1742350; Palm Beach Grey, Red coachline/Saddle leather; Natural cloth top; Estimate $60,000 – $80,000; Older restoration, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $37,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $40,700. No Reserve – 221/85hp, single Stromberg 97 carb, 3-speed, red painted wire wheels, Universal whitewall tires, enclosed rear-mounted spare wheel, dual chrome Sparton horns, rumble seat, banjo steering wheel. – Good paint overall with a few flaws. Tired chrome. Very good, lightly worn interior. From the John Middleton collection. Restored in the late 80’s for John G. Middleton, mechanically refreshed in 2007. Driven since. Not a concours car, but a very pretty and period correct car with a lot of charm. John G. Middleton collection. – No one, ever, will be reluctant to be seen driving this ’35 Ford, a rare car that hasn’t been hot rodded and has epic charm and appeal from the 30’s. It is a great buy at this price, even in its older restored and aged condition.

Lot # 307 1951 Packard Patrician 400 Sedan; S/N 24524531; Dark Blue/Dark Blue cloth; Estimate $6,000 – $10,000; Unrestored original, 3- condition; Hammered Sold at $2,500 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $2,750. No Reserve – 327/155hp, single Carter carburetor, automatic, hubcaps and trim rings, Lester wide whitewall tires, cormorant radiator mascot, factory radio. – Crazed, dinged up old repaint everywhere. Decent brightwork. Very good interior. Dull, pitted chrome. Dirty but complete engine bay and undercarriage. From the John Middleton collection. Packard’s range-topping sedan in 1951. Well-equipped but an unfortunately dowdy car with a boring drivetrain in need of attention. Everywhere. – Disappointing applies both to Packard’s 1951 model range and to this car’s presentation, factors that left even the ‘Preserving the Automobile’ bidders at a loss to find a reason to own it. ‘Preservation’ is a great thing, but it will take a lot of ‘splaining’ to make this uninteresting Packard attractive. This is all the money it could have brought.

Lot # 308 1976 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Limousine; S/N LRE25391; Black, Black vinyl roof/Oatmeal leather; Estimate $20,000 – $30,000; Rebodied or re-created, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $25,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $27,500. No Reserve – 6751/220hp, dual SU carbs, automatic, Cooper thin whitewalls, Spirit of Ecstasy radiator mascot, tinted windows, dual mirrors, vinyl roof, Blaupunkt AM/FM stereo, P/W, dash clock, wood dash and door trim, power rear division, telephone, wet bar, TV. – Tired original paint and chrome. Strong roof vinyl. Decent interior that has seen some use. Purchased new by John Middleton as a standard Silver Shadow Saloon. Converted into a limousine fifteen years later and given sixty additional inches of bodywork. One owner and 65,939 miles from new. A fun thing to play around with and not much money, but not a car to take too seriously. – Nevertheless, a car with potential both for possible commercial use or to convey guests to and from sumptuous estates. It is, if the term ever applied, a lot of car for the money, but no more than it was worth.

Lot # 309 1989 Rolls-Royce Corniche II Convertible; S/N SCAZD02A7KCX29087; Black, White coachline/Beige leather piped in Black; Beige top; Estimate $40,000 – $50,000; Unrestored original, 3+ condition; Hammered Sold at $70,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $77,000. No Reserve – 6750/240hp, Bosch fuel injection, automatic, Cooper thin whitewalls, Spirit of Ecstasy radiator mascot, wood interior trim, P/W, power seats, Pioneer cassette stereo, lambs wool rugs, dash clock, books, original purchase paperwork and tools. – Used but very tidy engine bay. Very good original paint and interior. Top boot is lightly discolored. From the John Middleton collection. A one-owner car showing just 13,443 miles after twenty-five years on this earth, it’s an ideal and well-equipped Corniche II that embodies the concept of ‘preservation’. – The ‘Preserving the Automobile’ bidders rose to the bait with this cherry Corniche. No matter how well a Rolls-Royce like this could be cosmetically refreshed or even restored it could never be as choice as this, an assiduously maintained and preserved car with impeccable one-owner, low miles, provenance. Expensive, but destined to be a paragon of the period if its preservation is continued.

Lot # 310 1985 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur 4-Dr. Sedan; S/N SCAZN42A4FCX12371; Black, Black vinyl roof/Grey leather; Estimate $18,000 – $24,000; Unrestored original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $13,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $14,300. No Reserve – 6751/245hp, Bosch multi-point fuel injection, automatic, Cooper thin whitewall tires, Spirit of Ecstasy radiator mascot, wood interior trim, P/W, push button radio. – Decent, well worn original paint with a few dings bought new by the seller’s mother. Lightly worn interior. Vinyl roof is good. Strong, honest car. From the John Middleton collection. One of just over 6,200 made. Never an elegant automobile, but today it is a lot of car for the money with condition that matches the 29,999 miles on the odometer from new. – A handsomely preserved and documented car, but neither rare nor beautiful. Even at that, though, it represents good value for money at this price and should give its new owner exceptional service at a modest (acquisition) price.

Lot # 311 1973 Volvo 1800ES Estate Wagon; S/N 1836363004871; Red/Black leather; Estimate $25,000 – $30,000; Visually maintained, largely original, 3 condition; Hammered Sold at $20,000 plus commission of 10.00%; Final Price $22,000. No Reserve – 1986/112hp, Bosch fuel injection, automatic, Gislaved tires, Clarion cassette stereo, dash clock. – Strong repaint in the original color. Scratched up brightwork. Original and used but complete and fairly clean engine bay. Cracking weather stripping on driver’s side, good older repaint. Strong original interior. Sold new to a doctor in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and sold back to the original dealer in 1993. Maintained and used by its second owner. Low mileage for a Volvo 1800 and a fine preserved example if you can get past the automatic. – Legendary reliability added significant value to Volvo’s ‘sports car’ the P1800 and particularly to the estate wagon P1800ES. With 112hp, performance was not its long suit but 4-wheel independent suspension and disc brakes all around went a long way toward making up for the smogged engine’s moderate output. Most have been driven into the ground, and a few restorers make a good living bringing worn out examples back to life. This one won’t need that attention and was an astute acquisition at this price.

Lot # 313 1921 Mercer Series 5 Sporting Touring Car; S/N Engine number; Engine # 5988; Green, Black hood, fenders and frame rails/Brown leather; No top; Estimate $120,000 – $130,000; Incomplete restoration, 4+ condition; Not sold at Hammer bid of $80,000 – 298/70hp L-head four, single updraft carb, 4-speed, painted wire wheels, Lester blackwall tires, Gray & Davis headlamps, Boyce Motometer, wood top frame, wood-rimmed steering wheel, wood dash, Waltham dash clock, robe rail, rear-mounted spare. – All original other than practically new leather and interior wood. Dings and small dents in the bodywork. Titled under its engine number. Recently discovered and given some cosmetic and mechanical work. A half-finished restoration that presents strangely with a brand new interior, aged chassis and engine and heavily weathered paint. In need of further work, but all there. – An intriguing find with rare and attractive coachwork that has been made usable with some mechanical attention, new upholstery and attention to its operating details so it can be driven. More needs almost certainly will emerge as it is used, or it can be moved directly to a restoration shop to be turned into antique jewelry. Despite the estimate range it would not have been unreasonable to let it go for the reported high bid.

Related

Related

Comments

“Buyers are lulled into seeing what it might be, what they can do with it, how they might save it, like a dirty, matted but adorable puppy at the pound. Like the puppy, however, the reality is that this dog may have hidden tendencies that make its salvation fraught with disappointments.” I wish more writers had your gift for metaphor.

Instead of Mr. Carey being adept with metaphor, I would prefer he would stick to the subject matter, rather than inject his personal opinion. He has failed to remember that there was a person trying to sell this vehicle at this auction and his negative comments are not helpful for that process, as anyone, now or in the future, due to the permanency of the internet, will able to read his negative comments. My concern is that there are people out there, given that Sports Car Digest is a respectable journal, who will actually agree with his biased opinion, rather than formulate their own.

The 1952 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith Touring Limousine w/ H.J.Mulliner Coachwork was a “bargain” in my opinion. The description states the vehicle was mechanically re-commissioned by the respected firm, The Frawley Company, at a cost to it’s owner of $30,000- yes the paint was tired but serviceable, while being extremely original, complete and not abused- Only 75 of these Special Touring Limousines were purported to made by Mulliner which would certainly put it in the “rare” class and who knows how still exist in this configuration, with RHD, manual transmission, SWB and electrical division window, complete with all it’s tools and original radio. Fresh paint and a refreshed interior would make a nice, relatively inexpensive upgrade, to an already extremely reliable, nice touring vehicle, suitable for club events. It takes a certain type of person to appreciate this vehicle’s charm, collectability and future investment potential. Sorry but Mr. Carey but I disagree with your assessment. I believe future appreciation of the Rolls Royce marque will bear me out.

In addition to my comments about the 1952 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith by Mulliner- This Mulliner design is generally considered by most RR/B enthusiasts to be one of the most attractive on the SWB chassis. By Mr. Carey calling it “aged and unattractive”, he is only revealing his own ignorance and should perhaps stick to his specialty, which appears to be racing cars. After all, these ARE cars from another era; and era of grace, hand workmanship, all qualities that are sorely missed, something Mr. Carey has perhaps overlooked.

Mr. Carey: Yes, true I am the consigner, but even if I wasn’t, I would feel it my duty, as a fan of Rolls Royce products ,especially from this era, to tell you you that you need to do more research ,before you lambast this offering. Who says one can’t disagree with a reviewer of one’s own car, especially when that reviewer is known to be an expert on racing cars and not the Rolls Royce marque?

About Rick Carey

One of the first people to report on the collector car market, Rick Carey’s market knowledge is unparalleled and he has one of the largest databases of auction transactions. Carey has a strong background in racing, particularly road racing in International GT endurance competition and an interest and focus upon the collector car market including historical trends and economic analysis. For more from Rick, visit RickCarey.com.